NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (June 2019): "Black Joy" has had a restoration and arrives on a Region 'Free' dual-layered Blu-ray from Powerhouse Indicator. This Blu-ray world premiere is a high definition remaster, newly re-graded and approved by cinematographer Phil Méheux. The 1.85:1 1080p image has a very pleasing and film-like grain structure, along with a maxed-out bitrate. Though this may sound like a backhanded compliment, I really appreciate the down and dirty look of the film texture itself, especially considering the subject matter of the film at-hand. Colors are somewhat muted, until they aren't (there are some beautifully shot bar and club sequences that create an entire mood out of limited lighting and light filters). This gives the impression that the look of the film is quite intentional. The level of detail on display is quite pleasant, even with the grain (though the film was supposedly shot using a Arriflex 35 BL, giving the film the freedom to showcase some kinetic handheld moments. The contrast is decent, showing enough range within the blacks. Another fine transfer from Indicator.

How can one even begin to discuss the audio track here without diving into one of the greatest soundtracks of the late 70s. Just to list off a few artists appearing here (this is not the complete list) we have; The O'Jays, Cimarons, Jimmy Helms, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, Ben E. King, K.C. & the Sunshine Band, Patti Labelle, Linda Lewis, Shirley & Company, Moments & Whatnauts, not to mention a ton of drumming tracks performed by 'Burundi drummers', 'Mighty Diamonds', and the 'Ipi Tombi' drummers. All of this music really shines on Indicator's 24-bit uncompressed linear PCM 1.0 mono track. Dialogue and sound effects are clear as can be, though some people may choose to use the included optional English SDH subtitles due to some dialects and accents. This is a Region Free Blu-ray from Indicator.

Indicator have once again gone above and beyond, with regards to the bonus features included with their Blu-ray presentations. Here we get the BEHP Interview with Anthony Simmons, an archival audio recording, made for the British Entertainment History Project, with Simmons (director) in conversation with filmmaker Rodney Giesler. This audio can be played over the entire running time of the film. Next up is the 10-minute "Good Stuff" with actor Trevor Thomas fondly recalling this, his first major film role. The 17-minute "A People Story" features actress Floella Benjamin discussing her role in the film, sadly one of the few rare film appearances made by Benjamin. "Blazing the Trail" is an 8-minute piece with Oscar James discussing his experiences as a black actor in the seventies. A real standout here is the 35-minute "Dark Days and Light Nights", with writer Jamal Ali explaining the origins of his stage play and adapting it for the big screen. Even if you skip some of the other interviews, I would definitely recommend checking out this talk with Ali. "Guerrilla Operations" is a 9-minute long interview with producer, Martin Campbell. Campbell talks about making low-budget cinema as a young producer in the 70s. Another standout is the 14-minute "Slices of Life", with director of photography Phil Méheux analyzing his documentary approach to filming Black Joy. Méheux would go on to lens 1979's "Scum" (also recently released by Indicator), as well as "The Long Good Friday" and the 2006 James Bond film "Casino Royale". The brief but interesting "Benjamin’s Brixton" is a 3-minute piece showcasing the shooting locations in London, as they now stand (as of 2019). "Bow Bells" is director Anthony Simmons’ 15-minute nostalgic 1954 short film about London’s East End. The original theatrical trailer and an image gallery round out the disc. Though we do not have the final packaging at the time of review, this limited edition features an exclusive 36-page booklet with a new essay by Josephine Dolan, Anthony Simmons and Norman Beaton on Black Joy, an overview of critical responses, Michael Brooke on Bow Bells, and film credits. Indicator's extensive and in-depth extras truly provide a greater context to the film.

Black Joy is a film of many highs and lows, shot with an at times intimate and then almost detached, documentary-like style. The acting, directing, lighting, editing, and not least of all--music is top notch. This world premiere on Blu-ray from Indicator shows a company that continues to shine a light on overlooked cinema from the 60's and 70's (while not being shy with the bonus features). Worth watching for that soundtrack alone!  

Colin Zavitz